New Zealand to get first day-night Test at Eden Park after Council gives the green light

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Kiwi test cricket fans have received some good news today with New Zealand's first ever day-night test being given the green light to go ahead at Auckland's Eden Park in March 2018.

The Black Caps celebrate Matt Henry picking up an early wicket

Source: Photosport

The ground-breaking event will be the first Test between the Black Caps and England on Thursday March 22, after receiving resource consent from the Auckland Council.

New Zealand Cricket chief operating officer Anthony Crummy is happy with the news, saying the day-night timeframe would make the Test more accessible for fans.

"NZC has a particular focus on improving access to cricket for everyone," said Mr Crummy. "Being able to stage the Test as a day-nighter is a significant step in the right direction.

"This means we can promote cricket in its most modern and vibrant incarnation; we can improve accessibility for new audiences, and we can showcase Eden Park, Auckland and New Zealand to a truly global audience," he said.

New Zealand would be at the forefront of the movement in the game of test cricket with only five day-night tests being played worldwide. One of those involved the Black Caps and Australia in Adelaide in November 2015.

In the most recent match between England and West Indies in Birmingham, 70,000 tickets were sold across the first three days.

New Zealand cricket is hoping the day-night test format will prove just as popular here.

Hours of play for the day-night test sessions are expected to be from 2pm-4pm, 4.20pm-6.20pm and 7pm-9pm.